Part 3

"So you told that human who you really are… Aragorn son of Arathorn?"

"Yes."

"And he told the Witch-king?"

"Yes."

"And the Witch-king, seeing Elladan and Elrohir rescuing you, figured out that you lived here?"

"Yes."

"And he's here to… get you?"

"Apparently," Aragorn whispered.

The room was filled with silence. Elrohir was the first one with the courage to break the thick silence. "So what do we do now?"

Elrond shook his head. "I don't know. We either bring Estel to them… which is out of the question. Anybody would be better off dead than in the hands of the nine. Especially the heir of Isildur. Or we keep him here and somehow have to ensure he is not captured.

Aragorn stood up and walked toward the window. Either option seemed to end up with him being dead. But he wouldn't let his family die with him.

"I have to go," he said shortly.

Elrond was at Aragorn's side within the second and Aragorn felt his foster father's hand gripping his shoulder. "No!" Elrond said sharply.

"But it sounds like I will be captured or dead either way," he whispered. "But I want to at least know that my family is safe."

"But there is a third option," Legolas spoke suddenly.

"What, pray?" asked every dark-haired being in the room.

Legolas stood up and walked closer to the family. "He could run away, or at least try."

Elrond shook his head. "Did it ever cross your mind," he snapped, "that I have already considered that? If he tried, then they would be upon him in an instant. After the wraith was finished talking to us, he probably told all his legions to be on the lookout for a young human. The second he crosses the river, either orcs or the Witch-king himself would be upon him! No, escape is out of the question."

Legolas nodded. "If that is the case… could I please talk to Aragorn alone?"

Elrond looked longingly at his son, but consented. But before they left the room, he said something to Legolas that Aragorn could not hear. When the door shut, Legolas walked urgently to Aragorn.

"We have to get you away from here," he said again.

"Didn't you hear Lord Elrond? They will be looking for me. The second I leave the safety of Rivendell, the orcs will be upon me!"

"Of course, but that's only if you leave alone!" cried Legolas. "Here's what I propose. I have the army of Mirkwood at my command. Even half of them would be nearly two thousand elves at my disposal. Yes, not enough to fight the orcs alone, but enough to take you south."

Aragorn looked up. It did sound like a good idea… mostly. "But the orcs would still be able to point me out," he said solemnly.

"Not if you looked like us!" said Legolas.

Aragorn laughed. "There is nothing…."

"You would have to shave first, of course…."

Aragorn blushed. He was beginning to grow proud of his stubble.

"You can borrow some of my clothes. A cloak will help disguise your figure…."

"There are still two large problems. First, my hair. Second, how will you convince Elrond to let us go?"

"We won't," said Legolas shortly.

Aragorn just stood there. "What do you mean?"

"Well, if you just leave without telling your father where you are going or anything, he can't tell the Nazgûl where you are going. The Nazgûl will know if it's being lied to. But if Elrond doesn't know where you are…."

"Than he won't have to lie to… him." Aragorn nodded. This was a really good plan! "But there's still the problem with my hair."

"That is no problem! Surely you remember what we did to Elladan a few years ago!"

Aragorn's face paled. "No…."